Planning Your Retail Career Preparing Your Résumé 2

Chapter Objectives Explain how to make a career plan. Describe ways to prepare for a retail career. Apply job-search strategies. Identify information needed to prepare a résumé. Explain how to prepare a résumé. Identify references for a résumé. 3

Make a Career Plan Compiling a career plan will help you determine which area of retailing most interests you. career plan a written statement of career goals and the necessary steps to achieve them Be realistic when you make a career plan. Make specific career goals. 4

Make a Career Plan A career ladder is a vertical look at career steps. career ladder the series of job steps you must take to achieve career goals A career lattice plan allows you to consider a greater variety of opportunities that can lead to the same career goal. career lattice a combination of vertical and diagonal career steps that lead to a career goal 5

Retail Job Requirements Retail job requirements include: body language the gestures and facial expressions that people use to communicate nonverbally Communication skills Body language People skills Basic math skills Leadership skills Teamwork skills 6

Preparing for Your Retail Career Two things that you can do to help you prepare yourself for a career in retailing are: Get an education Participate in DECA National Retail Federation (NRF) Skill Standards Accreditation Build work experience 7

Sources for Retail Jobs Sources for retail jobs include: networking contacting people you know who can assist with your job hunt Networking Employment agencies employment agency a business that specializes in helping people find jobs Employment ads The Internet 8

E-Tail Employment Operating an e-tail business on an electronic channel—the Web—can be costly, due to design, delivery, returns, and operating expenses. Though Many larger dot-com companies crashed in the 1990’s, small stores like Harris Cyclery of West Newton, Massachusetts, actually increase sales using a basic Web site. Today, a third of Harris’s bicycle business rides in on the Web to get hard-to-find parts and personal service. Describe an e-business’s home page to your class after viewing one through marketingseries.glencoe.com. Many workers are moving from retail to e-tail as traditional stores add Web sites with online shopping. Jobs in e-tail include Web site design, online marketing, and customer service. E-tailers also need buyers, technical support, and content experts. For more information on retailing, go to marketingseries.glencoe.com. 9

What are two things to keep in mind when making a career plan? 1. What are two things to keep in mind when making a career plan? What are five basic skill requirements of most jobs? What are four sources you can use to find a job in retailing? 2. Quick Check Answers be realistic and be specific communication skills, people skills, basic math skills, leadership skills, and teamwork skills networking, employment agencies, employment ads, and the Internet 3. 10

Elements of a Résumé Before applying for any job, you need to prepare a résumé. résumé a document that provides a summary of information about a person’s work experience, education, activities, and interests 11

Elements of a Résumé The elements of a résumé are: Contact information Objective Skills Experience Education Activities and Honors 12

Keeping Current Update your résumé constantly because the information on your résumé changes as you gain experience, learn new skills, advance in school, earn awards, and join new organizations. 13

References Employers may ask for three references. references people who know you and who can answer questions about your work habits and character Before you include anyone on your reference list, be sure to ask for that person’s permission. 14

Networking Keep your networking system organized. Supporters Professionals Promoters Role Models Mentors Student assistants Advisors Classmates Friends Family Support staff Administrative assistants Counselors Professors Teachers Administrators Coworkers Suppliers Main office staff Club or academic advisors Instructors Coaches Coworkers Customers Clients Instructors Professors Community leaders Authors Experts Role models Professionals outside your career area who take an interest in your career Keep your networking system organized. Use a notebook or computer Ask for a business card Jot notes on business cards Set up worksheets Update the information often 15

Cover Letter When you send your résumé to apply for a job, always include a cover letter. cover letter a brief letter that provides a short introduction about the sender and states why that person is a strong candidate for the job Carefully proofread your résumé and cover letter. 16

What types of information should be included on your résumé? 1. What types of information should be included on your résumé? Why is it important to list offices and memberships on your résumé? What are three types of references you can include on your résumé? 2. Quick Check Answers Answers can include contact information, objective, skills, experience, education, activities and honors. To demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills. Answers may include any three of the following: supporters, professional, promoters, role models, mentors. 3. 17

Checking Concepts 1. Define a career plan. 2. Such plans can be made on the ladder model which is a vertical series of steps to take to reach goals; alternatively, they can follow the lattice model which is a combination of vertical and diagonal steps to a goal. 2. One can use networking, employment agencies, employment ads, and the Internet. 4. Answers can include completing and continuing your education, taking marketing classes, joining DECA, obtaining NRF accreditation, and gaining work experience. 3. It is a written statement of career goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. 1. 2. Describe ways to make career plans. Identify steps you can take to prepare for a retail career. 3. Checking Concepts Answers It is a written statement of career goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. Such plans can be made on the ladder model which is a vertical series of steps to take to reach goals; alternatively, they can follow the lattice model which is a combination of vertical and diagonal steps to a goal. Answers can include completing and continuing your education, taking marketing classes, joining DECA, obtaining NRF accreditation, and gaining work experience. One can use networking, employment agencies, employment ads, and the Internet. 4. Explain four job-search strategies. continued 18

Checking Concepts 5. Identify information to assemble when preparing a résumé. You should begin your résumé with personal information and the kind of position you are seeking. There should be sections on work experience and education followed by any offices you hold in school clubs or teams you are on. The last section is for references 6. References are people who know you and can answer questions about your work habits and the type of person you are. They may be former employers, teachers, and longtime family friends. 7. Information includes personal information, such as name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address; your work experience, your education, and your activities and honors. 5. 6. Explain how to prepare a résumé. Checking Concepts Answers Information includes personal information, such as name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address; your work experience, your education, and your activities and honors. You should begin your résumé with personal information and the kind of position you are seeking. There should be sections on work experience and education followed by any offices you hold in school clubs or teams you are on. The last section is for references References are people who know you and can answer questions about your work habits and the type of person you are. They may be former employers, teachers, and longtime family friends. Describe the different types of references you can use on your résumé. 7. continued 19

Checking Concepts Critical Thinking 8. Answers may vary but should recognize that making career plans realistic helps to make them achievable. You can always expand your goals later as you progress. Making them specific helps you to focus on a goal, also making that goal more achievable. 8. 8. Explain the importance of making a career plan realistic and specific. Checking Concepts Answers Answers may vary but should recognize that making career plans realistic helps to make them achievable. You can always expand your goals later as you progress. Making them specific helps you to focus on a goal, also making that goal more achievable. 20

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